Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't the Blackhawks land Brady Tkachuk in the trade?
Tkachuk had a full no-move clause and reportedly had a very short list of teams he would accept a trade to, with Florida at the top of that list. Chicago was never a frontrunner to begin with, so Kyle Davidson not landing him isn't a sign that players don't want to come to Chicago.
Who is Matthew Knies and why are the Blackhawks interested in him?
Matthew Knies is a 23-year-old winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs who fits perfectly in Chicago's young core alongside Connor Bedard. He has no no-trade or no-move clause, and ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that the Blackhawks have been interested in him for a while with Chicago's No. 4 pick absolutely in play.
What would a potential Matthew Knies trade to Chicago look like?
One proposed package has the Blackhawks sending the No. 4 overall pick, Oliver Moore, and a 2026 second-round pick to Toronto for Knies. Chicago has the resources to outbid other teams if the Leafs are truly listening to offers.
How much has the Blackhawks' on-ice performance improved recently?
The Blackhawks improved by nine points from the 2023-24 season to 2024-25, then jumped another 11 points in 2025-26. They are now just 18 points away from a wild-card playoff spot.
How young is the current Blackhawks roster?
Chicago currently has 13 players aged 23 and younger in their starting lineup, making them one of the youngest and fastest-improving rosters in the league. That youth movement is a big reason why the franchise is becoming a more appealing destination for trade candidates.
Isaac Nielsen
Isaac Nielsen is a University of Nebraska–Omaha graduate with a degree in Journalism & Media Communication and four years of experience in sports journalism. He has spent the past two years as the Lead Blackhawks Writer at Sports Mockery, covering the team’s rebuild and focusing on roster construction, and has also reported on the Bears, Colts, Omaha Athletics, and Nebraska football.
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